A Merseyside soldier who patrols Afghanistan talking to locals gathering vital intelligence has earned a medal for his service.

Lance Corporal Alex Morgan, 27, of 1st Battalion The Irish Guards, was awarded a Joint Commander’s Commendation in recognition of his contribution to the operation.

L/Cpl Morgan, from St Helens and a former pupil of St Edward’s College, acted as patrol linguist during the Battalion’s 2010/2011 tour of Afghanistan.

He completed an intensive course in the native Pashto tongue and was able to communicate directly with the local people and break down cultural barriers, vital to winning the hearts and minds battle against the Taliban.

He said: "I sat an aptitude test and was selected to do the Pashto course. It’s a very different language, but I can hold a conversation now.

"I can understand what they’re saying and get involved with the banter that they have. The locals have banter like any people do and it kind of breaks down your preconceptions. Dealing with the local population everyday I was able to open doors for us that might not have been opened.

"I interpreted for the Platoon Commander when a local Afghan came to the checkpoint with information about an IED.

"I was able to get the information off him and that led to us finding the IED and therefore maybe saving some one’s life.

"I feel I’ve made a difference to the local area and possibly bettered the lives of some Afghans.

"It feels amazing. I’m really proud. But I was just part of a team that did a fantastic job out there."

Alex’s citation praised his actions, describing him as having "continuously acted in a manner well above his rank", and having "undoubtedly saved lives and enabled relationships to be built that without his skills would never have existed."